An unfamiliar pang smote Van Dam suddenly, but he disregarded it.
"Don't be a fool," he insisted. "I know why you came here, but you're too late. Your mother and Madelon were here, too, a moment ago—"
"Here?" exclaimed the youth, incredulously.
"Yes! Alfred heard you were in the city and he planned to ambush you; I tied him up and threw him into a closet. Then I robbed his safe and gave the money to Madelon and your mother."
Emile's face was a study at this amazing intelligence.
"When I came to look for the old fellow, a moment ago, I found he'd escaped. I don't know where he has gone. That's why we'd better cut and run for it, before he sets up an alarm."
"Run!" Emile shook his head. "I have been running—with the Black Wolf at my heels. I thought they had me cornered more than once. They're after me now, the whole pack."
"Do they know you're here?"
"I dare say; they were right behind me." He cursed violently. "And to think that I missed Cousin Alfred, after all!"
"You had no business in the city. You must get out again."